Chapter 2
A week before the big game, Ginny had called a team meeting to discuss match tactics and a few others things she had up her sleeve.
Hermione was sat amongst the players feeling very out of place, but she knew she needed to be here and right now that was ok, it was distracting her from her impending date with Cormac later that night.
She had been cursing herself ever since for agreeing to it in the first place, what could they possibly have in common? She had also told herself that she would never date another Quidditch player again after her failed relationship with Oliver.
She could hardly tar everyone with the same brush, but considering she hated flying, and didn't think of Quidditch as the best thing ever, she felt that it was probably better not to.
She suddenly realised that the room had gone quiet and all faces were turned looking at her. She looked up to Ginny who was smirking.
"Did we lose you to daydreaming about your date tonight?"
"Oh shut up." The girls surrounding her laughed.
"I was just asking everyone to vote on Aoife's idea on whether its a good idea or not, what do you think?"
"I... err... think it sounds like a great idea."
"Looks like a clean sweep for you then, Aoife!" Ginny laughed. "Good luck on your mission, you should be able to get away with it tonight, since their team captain is going to be otherwise engaged!"
Hermione wondered what on earth she had just agreed to; obviously Aoife was up to something that she would normally have frowned upon. Dammit, why did Ginny always get one up on her! She decided then and there she needed to get her own back on her scheming best friend. She just wasn't sure how yet!
She tuned back into listen to Ginny before she got caught out again. Luckily she was finishing off and soon the rest of the team filed out for practise, leaving just Ginny and Hermione alone.
"Look why don't you go home, calm down, get yourself dressed up and just enjoy yourself with Cormac. He seriously is a good guy, Hermione, do you honestly think I'd let you date him if he was a complete and utter tosser?"
A voice caught the two witches off guard. "Thanks for the shining character assessment, Ginny!" The man in question was standing behind them.
"Oh Merlin, what on earth are you doing here?" Ginny asked spinning to face her normal teammate.
"I just came by to drop these off, St Mungo's just sent all the charity match details to us in one envelope. It's all of your passes and start times, etc. Hey, Hermione."
"H..Hi," she stuttered back like a fool. Merlin, why couldn't the ground just swallow her up now?
He smirked at her before turning back to face Ginny, his hand outstretched with the paperwork he had brought.
"I need to go, I'll see you later," Hermione waved to them both before hurrying off down the hall, she didn't want to hang around and make herself more nervous than she already was.
------
Cormac turned to watch the pretty witch scurry down the hall.
"Put your tongue away, McLaggen, that’s my best friend you're drooling over there!"
"Do I make a scene when you give Adrian goo-goo eyes, Weasley?"
"I give him no such thing, you jerk," she said, snatching the papers he was still holding from his hands.
"Sorry, not goo-goo eyes, more like come and fuck me eyes."
"Oh shut up!"
"Knew you'd eventually stop denying it. If it makes you feel better, I already got Adrian to own up, so you were fighting a losing battle anyway."
"Well, aren't you just Mr Detective?" She said, turning her back on him and walking towards her office desk.
"Look Gin, the reason I also brought these over is to ask if there is anything I could do or say to impress Hermione. You know how much I like her. I don't want to cock it up again," he said following her desperately.
"Well you know what they say, McLaggen, third time’s the charm and all? Just be your normal self, if you were still the tool you were in school, then I certainly wouldn't class you as a friend, neither would half the team, and let’s not forget no way would Wood have replaced himself with you. Just show Hermione that side of you."
"That’s it?" He fiddled with the buttons on his jacket.
"Well, just find something else to talk to her about other than Quidditch, but I would have expected that would have been obvious."
"Thank you."
She looked at him, he looked nervous, but then as if he felt her inquisitive gaze his face changed and a look of confidence replaced it, she wondered if he was just good at hiding his insecurities or if he genuinely felt better. He turned to leave.
"One more thing, Cormac! She says she's been dating an older man, personally I think its a load of codswallop, but she's not let it drop. However, I don't think for the life of me that if she was seeing anyone else that she would have agreed to a date with you, just try and find out if she's been lying to me would you?"
"I hope she isn't." The worried look was back on his face.
"Like I said, I think she's been lying to me to get me off of her back about dating again and if she actually has, then like I said, Cormac, be yourself, win her over. I truly believe if she sees the real you, she'll be yours. I know Hermione better than she realises sometimes."
She watched him walk out of the locker room, before turning her attention back to the paperwork he had handed over to her. Flicking through the teams passes she found one that she shouldn't have.
Could she keep hold of it? He would never forgive her, or would he after some punishment? She smirked, looking down at the name in her hand.
Adrian Pucey.
-----------------
Adrian had been working out in the club’s gym when he heard a clatter, it sounded as if it had come from the locker rooms. He had thought he was the only one here, having said goodbye to the rest of the squad earlier that evening.
Cormac had been heading off for his big date with Granger. He had looked pale ever since he had returned from visiting the girls’ training ground earlier that day. Every time he had gone to question him, Oliver had appeared from nowhere. Kept asking Cormac how he was getting on in infiltrating the girls’ team and asking how many dates he had.
Adrian was getting to the point where he'd happily throttle his own best friend just to get him to shut up. He was a man possessed. Instead of throttling him, he had turned the tables on Oliver by telling Cormac to explain his successful date with Aoife O'Hare.
Oliver had turned a horrible shade of puce before finding an excuse to leave the conversation.
He and Cormac had fallen into fits of guffaws. He had forgotten to question Cormac after that and instead had said goodnight to the rest of the team before heading back into the gym to train some more. He hadn't seen Ginny in over a week, he wasn't used to not being around her and he was beginning to realise that he missed her. He was beginning to be of the opinion that as fun as sneaking around with her was, he actually wanted to be with her. Officially.
He heard another clatter and that broke him out of his thoughts about Ginny. He slowed the running machine down and stepped off. Quietly he moved through the corridors, wondering what on earth he was about to find.
He thought the locker room would have been draped in darkness, but instead the lights were all on.
"Hello?" He called out.
Suddenly there was a crash just to his left.
Turning round the corner he came across Oliver of all people.
"What on earth are you doing in here, its like ten o'clock!"
"I've been hit with what I assume to be Peruvian Darkness Powder."
"What?" Adrian asked confused, he moved to help his friend stand up, now he looked closer he could see the black marks on Oliver's face.
"I was walking in via the main entrance and suddenly I heard somebody coming towards me, I called out hello and next thing I knew I saw a blur and then something was thrown into my face and since then I've been stumbling trying to find my way here."
"Ok, that makes sense, well kind of, but why are you dressed from head to toe in black? And with that beanie hat on your head? You look like a thief from a bad Muggle film.”
"I... err, was taking care of something."
"What have you done?"
"Nothing that you need to worry about and seriously maybe whilst you question me, could you at least help me to a seat and get me some water? I need to wash my eyes. I'll bet you anything Weasley is knee deep in this."
"Sure, sure thing." Adrian helped Oliver to the bench and then went off in search of a bowl, a cloth and then some water.
This had to have something to do with the girls, he was sure of it. How could he question Ginny on what they were playing at when he was now sure Oliver had been and done something he shouldn't as well?
He just hoped no one was doing anything dangerous.
----------
Hermione was sat across from Cormac in a quaint little Muggle restaurant not far from Diagon Alley. She had been surprised when he said he had booked a table here. She was further surprised by his words.
"I thought you might like the privacy of the Muggle world tonight? Saves this being splashed across the newspapers if I turn out be the tosser I used to be."
He had smiled at her speechless face before taking her hand discreetly and pulling her in the direction of The Leaky Cauldron. They had soon found themselves on the streets of Muggle London and Hermione couldn't remember a time in which she had found the city streets to be so picturesque. The sun was setting and her hand had felt protected by his larger one. He seemed content to not make awkward conversation and just walk with her.
In no time at all, he had been holding open the door to the little Italian restaurant he had chosen and an enthusiastic Italian waiter greeted them. He had greeted Cormac as if he was an old friend.
"Have I rendered you speechless, Hermione? I don't think I've ever heard you so quiet?"
"You've surprised me, I never would have guessed you were so Muggle."
"I told you I'd changed, although to be fair I have never not known the Muggle world. My parents always brought me up to appreciate the Muggles we are surrounded by, after all there are a lot more of them than there are of us."
"What Muggle things did you use to do?" Her interest was piqued, someone who could relate to both parts of her heritage was pretty rare in the Wizarding world unless they were Muggle-born, and even most half-bloods grew up solely in the wizarding world.
"We visited museums, theme parks, theatres, and my favorite, the cinema. My parents wanted me to learn about Muggle history and culture. I'm an all rounder, Granger." He smirked.
"You're a surprise, that’s for sure," she laughed as the waiter came to their table to take their orders.
The conversation never stilted, the evening was perfect. Hermione realised she was truly enjoying herself and his company. He was being the perfect gentleman, but Hermione could see the heat and desire in his eyes every time he looked at her. It was a heady combination and she could see herself losing control all to easily if she wasn't careful.
He stood to use the toilet and she watched him leave the room. He was looking rather handsome tonight, she had noticed more than a few females glancing their way. He was wearing a burgundy shirt, unbuttoned casually at the top with a pair of smart dark grey jeans, the fit left nothing to the imagination she had to admit. His sandy blonde hair was styled to look as if he had just rolled out of bed and she wasn't afraid to admit she would love to run her fingers through it.
It turned out they had a lot in common and even though they had spoken a bit about Quidditch it turned out unlike Oliver, Cormac had a lot of other interests and whilst he obviously enjoyed the sport, there was still an element of it being his job and he did other things to relax. He had smirked at her as he had said it and squeezed her hand. She had shivered unsure as to when they had started holding hands again.
She looked down at the dress she was wearing. It had been just right, not too dressy for this restaurant and not too casual either. She had bought it a few months ago and since then, she had been waiting for the right time to wear it. It started out with a lacy black material that covered her neck and shoulders, before it merged into a white top and finished off in a black pencil skirt. It was a dress that teased the imagination she had been told by Ginny, she had thought it would be perfect for tonight. It seemed Cormac had agreed, looking her up and down hungrily when she had first appeared beside him.
"So Hermione, would you like a nightcap?"
She blinked, not having realised Cormac had returned.
"I'm not sure what you do to me, Cormac, but my brain seems to forget how to function." She wasn't sure why she was admitting this to him, but it was the truth and she didn't want him to think of her as some mindless idiot who turned into a mess around him for any other reason.
"Believe it or not, Hermione, you do the same to me." He grabbed her hand again, his thumb automatically caressing her palm softly.
"I need to ask you something though."
His thumb on her skin and the little shocks it was sending through her body distracted her. "Ok."
"Ginny mentioned today that you had been seeing someone. Someone older. I guess I want to know where I stand if we were to take this any further."
"Oh, I, err..."
He continued, "I know you had a bad experience with Wood, but I need you to know I'm not him. I really like you and I want to take this further. I'll be honest with you if you will be with me, too."
Panic washed through her. She had been here before with Oliver, with Anthony, and believe it or not, Ron. The two of them had never dated, but somehow they had the 'shall we' conversation.
Oliver Wood had hurt her, hurt her more than he knew and more than she had let anyone else know. She had thought they were fine, but he had had other ideas. They were different, yes, but where she had found their differences endearing and what made them individuals he had felt the opposite. He hated the fact that she didn't share his love for Quidditch, despite the fact that she loved his passion, he wanted to come home, discuss every play and dissect every part of the match, which he couldn't do with her like he wanted to.
Eventually he decided that they were just too different and had made excuses before finally admitting that he just didn't want her. She knew he hadn't meant to hurt her and he was genuinely a good guy, but they were just two very different people and it just hadn't worked out.
She had just fallen too deep and believed that after the war they were all looking for a piece of security. Maybe Oliver had been that security she had desperately wanted. Harry had gone off to travel the world at that point, wanted to live like a free spirit, well a free spirit who was attached to the hip of Luna Lovegood, but she thought they were a sweet couple. Then there was Ron who was determined to date every twenty something female he could. They all dealt differently.
Anthony Goldstein had come next. She was determined to not let her experience with Oliver swear her off men, so she decided to date someone who she thought would be a more sensible match. It hadn't worked out; they both found the other a bit dull. They had lasted two months and she swore that was only out of politeness. It had been another disaster.
Now, here she was sat with someone who she really liked, could she let herself go again? Give in to this temptation and hope she wouldn't get hurt again? She used to be brave.
She wasn't anymore.
"I really enjoyed this evening, Cormac, but Ginny's right, I am seeing someone else and I think I need to leave now. I'm sorry, it wasn't fair on you, I shouldn't have agreed to this in the first place."
She made to stand up then realised her hand was still attached to Cormac's. "I think you're lying, Hermione. I think you're scared."
She pulled her hand away from his. "I... I don't know what you mean." She inwardly cursed herself for the stutter.
"Who is he?" Cormac asked her, face serious.
She hadn't missed the flicker of a smile as she had stuttered. "You wouldn't know him."
"Convenient that."
"Look, I'm sorry for messing you around. I'd really like to be friends, you have changed, Cormac, and I think I could really lo...like you." She needed to get out of here. Grabbing her purse and standing, she turned to leave.
"I think I could love you too, Hermione." She turned at those words and looked into his honest eyes. She knew he meant it, but before she could change her mind, she turned and ran out of the door, Apparating straight home.
-------------------
Ronald Weasley was walking across the pitch after their final training session before the following day’s big match when Cormac McLaggen of all people accosted him.
"Weasley! Can I borrow you for a moment?"
"Sure, what do you want?"
"I wanted to ask you about Hermione."
"What about her?"
They walked over towards the locker room entrance and stopped. Cormac leaned up against the doorframe.
"Have you seen her recently?"
"Of course I have, I live with her."
"You do?"
"You didn't know that?"
"No, well I wanted to know how she’s been?"
"She’s been moping around the apartment all week, look I know she went on a date with you."
"She ran away at the end and both me and your sister believe she’s lying about dating someone else."
"Of course she’s lying."
"You know that for sure?"
"Hermione hasn't seen anyone since her desperately boring fling with Anthony. She’s had trouble getting back into dating since Oliver."
"Well I heard that it was a nasty ending."
"Not really, they were not particularly well suited. Hermione was using him as a crutch. To be honest since the war we all have something. Harry is exploring the world. I, well, put it this way, I have no intentions of settling down, and Hermione? Well Hermione's first bit of stability in her life was Oliver and that ended. It's thrown her, all over again."
"I, well, I didn't know that."
"Not many people do, it’s easier for everyone to believe that Oliver and Hermione had this big bitter bust up, but Oliver's a good guy and they still get on, they just weren't right for each other."
"You've become quite wise, Weasley. It still surprises me that you and Hermione never got together."
"We talked about it, but I think we both needed something different in our lives. Our friendship is sealed but a romantic relationship? We both deserved something more, somebody who could help heal the damage not just share the pain.
"Fight for her, Cormac, it’s the only way she'll be brave enough to try again. Show her you want her."
"Thanks, Weasley." Cormac held out his hand to the younger wizard.
"I'm not doing it for you, McLaggen, it's for Hermione." He shook his outstretched hand anyway.
"Ready for the charity match, Weasley?"
"Well what’s the chance I’ll get played, McLaggen? Slim to none right?"
"Well I'd say it depends on whether Wood tries to kill himself in order to beat your sister. Oh look, speak of the devil."
Ron turned round to see his sister sauntering towards them.
"What are you doing here?"
"None of your business."
Cormac laughed, "Here to see Pucey I bet!"
"Fraternising with a Slytherin, Ginny? I expected better of you!"
"Says the man who's slept with both Greengrass sisters and Pansy Parkinson, pot meet kettle!"
"Whatever, although you shouldn't be here, not in the enemy camp."
"I'm here because your Capitano here gave me Adrian's pass for the game tomorrow. Won't be too helpful if you can't play your best chaser if he can't get into the game!"
"I'll pass it on if you like?" Cormac offered with a smirk, knowing she wouldn't accept.
"It's ok, I wanted to ask him something else anyway, but thanks." She smiled sweetly until Ron looked away then gave Cormac the death stare.
"Suit yourself,” he turned to Ginny’s brother, “look thanks for the advice, Ron."
"No problem, see you tomorrow." Ginny and Cormac both watched Ron walk back into the locker rooms.
"Advice? From my brother, you that desperate?" Ginny asked him.
"When it comes to Hermione? Yes I am."
"She's been avoiding me since your date."
"You and me both, but don't you worry, I plan to change that tomorrow."
"Do I even want to know?"
"Probably not. I'll leave you to go find Adrian, he'll probably be in the gym, working off his sexual frustration."
"Whatever, McLaggen, see you tomorrow."
He walked back across the pitch towards the exit with a wave to Ginny as she disappeared the same way her brother had just moments before her.
-------
Ginny hoped Ron wouldn't take too long to leave. She certainly didn't want him to catch her and Adrian, not with what she had planned anyway.
As luck would have it, just as she reached the locker room door, out walked Ron and two more players.
"Adrian is still in the showers, Gin."
"That's ok, I can wait. Thanks."
She watched them leave the building and then hurried into the locker room. With a flick of her wand she had locked and warded the doors.
She could hear the shower running from where she stood. She moved swiftly to his locker and popped the pass into his bag. She couldn't be so cruel as to deny him the chance to play, she wasn't sure he would forgive her. She could however be cruel in other ways.
She stripped off her clothes before walking naked into the showers. There he was.
He was tall and well built, his tanned skin showed off his lean body. She wondered if he had ever sunbathed naked, his taut arse was the same colour as the rest of him. No tan lines on him. The thought of him naked in the sun sent a little thrill through her.
His arms were resting against the shower wall, his head under the showerhead dousing him in water. She had never wanted him as much as she did now.
They had danced around each other for about a year before one day after a match they had gotten into a fight. The others had left straight after the match, but the two of them had remained behind yelling at each other. He blamed her for getting in his way and she blamed him for missing the catch she had thrown his way, which would have allowed them to win and get to the top of the league on goal difference alone.
She wasn't sure how it happened, but one moment they were yelling at each other, the next they had been kissing and kissing had turned into fucking. It had been exhilarating. The best sex of her life. After that they had found themselves unable to stay away from each other. The sneaking around had only added to the excitement of their situation.
This had been happening for seven months now. She knew she should open up to him and tell him she wanted more, but she was worried he wouldn't and she wasn't willing to give up what they had now if he didn't want more.
Shaking her head she brought herself back to the present before he turned and ruined what she had planned.
She stepped behind him, watching the water run down his smooth skin. Her hands reached out and wrapped around his torso, purposely brushing past his nipples as they did so.
She felt him stiffen as her naked body came up against his.
"Hello, Adrian."
She felt his body relax as he recognised her voice.
"What are you doing sneaking in here, lioness?"
"Looking for snakes," she whispered in his ear, her hands trailing down his body, claiming his erection in her hand. "So hard already and yet I've only just got here."
"I've been hard since you left me last time, I haven't seen you in this way in over two weeks. That's the longest time I haven't had you since we started this." He moaned as her hand rolled up and down his length.
"I've missed you, too."
He turned then, pulling her under the water and claiming her lips with his own. His hands trailed over her body, he knew exactly where to touch her. Biting her neck, his fingers found their way to her sweet spot. Within moments she was on the edge and with a flick of his thumb against her clit she was coming around his fingers.
She whined as he removed his fingers. Pushing her to her knees, he moved his hands to her hair and groaned when she engulfed him in her hot mouth.
"I've missed your little noises, Ginny, as well as other things."
She sucked him expertly; she knew how to make him lose control. He knew if he didn't stop her, he would come soon. He pulled her mouth off of him and helped her to her feet.
She pulled him to her and kissed him, she felt him lining her up to push up into her.
"Wait, I have something in my bag, it will make it more enjoyable, I promise." She pulled away from him nearly laughing at his confused face.
"What?"
"Wait here for me baby, I'll be right back."
He watched her walk quickly out of the shower, the bounce of her breasts teasing him. He ran his own hand over his cock, wanking himself as he waited. She had been gone too long he realised all too soon. She was just as insatiable as he was, she wouldn't waste time when she wanted an orgasm.
It suddenly dawned on him, that he had given her one.
"She wouldn't..."
He ran out of the shower, his cock jutting out in front of him. The locker room stood empty, all he saw was a note stuck to his locker.
Sorry baby, but this is a war. Good luck playing tomorrow with that hard on.
Love,
Ginny
xxxx
He was going to kill her.
Well after he sorted his cock out.
--------------
Ginny watched her lover storm out of the locker room and back to the showers. She felt as frustrated as he looked. Her plan was sure to work well, but was it going to backfire and affect her as well?
She smirked, she had least orgasmed by his fingers and not her own. Frustrated she might be, but she couldn't be half as bad as him right now.
It was time to scarper before he came out and caught her, she'd be in for it then.
She had made sure all the team had early nights so that’s what she planned to do. A shower, another orgasm, dinner, and then bed. In that order.
Tomorrow was game day after all.